Dear Saint Mary’s Families,
As we prepare to celebrate Easter, I have some other news that may cause celebration as well. Due to the construction schedule school will be ending this year on Friday, June 1st with dismissal at 12:20 p.m.
Eighth grade activities planned for the June 4th, 5th and 6th will remain as planned, with Eighth Grade Graduation on June 6th. Graduation is not being changed because we know that families have already made plans with folks coming into town and that plane tickets have already been purchased.
The Eighth Grade Graduation is such an important event we want to make sure it gets all the attention it deserves and is not lost in the shuffle of preparing the school for the renovation.
We turn the building over to the contractors at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, June 4th. This means that everything needs to be completely out of the elementary classrooms, administrative offices, library, computer, music and art rooms by the afternoon of Sunday, June 3rd. We will need lots of help getting everything moved and will be looking for lots of volunteers on June 2nd and 3rd to help us with moving everything to storage for the summer. More information will be forthcoming about the schedules for those days and how you can help.
In August school will be starting one week later than originally announced. The first day of the 2018-2019 school year will be Monday, August 27th.
Have a blessed Easter and enjoy your time with family.
Joyfully,
Jenni Ellis
Principal
IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK: Please visit the school calendar regularly for the most up-to-date information as times and dates may change.
Thursday, March 29th – Early Dismissal 12:20 NO ASC
Thursday, March 29th – Report Cards Distributed
Friday, March 30th – Spring Break Begins
Monday, April 9th – School Reopens
Wednesday, April 11 – School Mass
Friday, April 13 – Fourth Grade Field Trip
Saint Mary’s Go Forth! Capital Campaign We’re at the finish line, folks!:
The Go Forth! Campaign will continue untill we reach our goal, but this week is the last week for the classroom participation effort. So far, the three fourth grades, the two first grades, and Mrs. Klein’s second grade have reached 100% participation. Congratulations to these classrooms! There are many other classrooms that are REALLY close to the 100% mark. Last push! Every class that hits 100% participation will get a pizza party, but you only have until Thursday to have your gift be part of this challenge.
Schoolwide, we are at 81% participation, which is terrific. Thanks go to so many generous people. It will be so exciting to see the renovations your generosity has made possible.
You can give online here or contact Jennifer Janus at jjanus@saintmary.org for more options, or for info on making a pledge to the campaign.
Saint Mary’s ASC Enrichment “Bricks 4 Kidz”: April 9th – May 14th, Mondays 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Grades 1st-5th. Making learning FUN with LEGO Bricks. (flyer)
2018 Monarch Gala: Get your TICKETS to the 2018 Monarch Gala! The Gala will be Saturday, April 21 at the Hilton Richmond Short Pump Hotel and Spa with proceeds going toward the School Renovation. Tickets, tables, sponsorship, and other goodies (including a tag week for your students!) are now available for purchase online. Gala Tickets
SMCS Partnering with Cornerstone Christian Church: (right down the road from us!) Cornerstone Christian Church began a partnership with the villagers of Pomona, Belize in 2012. They are in a relationship with the people in this village and have watched the children grow up over the past seven years. Each year their main objective is to reinforce the love of Christ with each child on a personal, one-on-one basis.
They know each other by name and share time together in a Bible school style camp with the children and that has grown over the years. Last year they taught 150 children that God is More Than Enough. They also do construction projects and home repairs in the village. They have built a playground and have done repairs around the local elementary school. This past year they finished construction on a preschool that opened its doors this past August!
They do various other projects during their time there, such as distributing food for Rise Against Hunger (formerly Stop Hunger Now), helping with KidzKonnect Medical Clinics, teaching teen girls about purity, and much, much more!
Here is how we can help –
Every year the team takes FLIP FLOPS in various sizes for people in the village. They take as many as they can. The terrain is rough and they don’t last long with constant wear. We will begin, after Spring Break, collecting Flip Flops to send to Belize. They can be any size, color or style. Sliders are also welcome. We will collect the flip flops starting on April 9th and continue until May 9th. Students can turn them in to their homeroom teacher.
“TRY IT OUT” GRSM Pre-Band Summer Camp: For beginner students who have an interest in joining the GRSM Beginning Band. Pre-Band Camp (flyer) All Band Camps Click Here For Additional Information (Please Note: The information for the camps at St Bridget’s is at the bottom of the page.)
Church Events:
“Holy Week & Easter Schedule” Easter Video Message from Fr. Renninger: 
“Easter Video Message from Fr. Renninger” Please visit our church website for Fr. Renninger’s Easter video message as we begin Holy Week. www.stmarysrichmond.org
“Save the Date!” An invitation for you to celebrate how Jesus saved the world…. The celebrations of Holy Week (flyer)
“Dead Man Walking:” The Monsignor Charles Kelly Faith Formation Forum. The Journey Continues Saturday, April 28 at 10a.m. (flyer)
“Find Your Greatness” Tickets Available Now! Dynamic Catholic: “Find Your Greatness”, Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9 am – 1:30 pm, St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Great habits create great lives. What are your habits? Are they helping you become the-best-version-of-yourself? Tickets $25 per person available at DynamicCatholic.com or call 859-980-7900
Helpful Links:
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform